How To Watch The Star Wars Movies In Order: The True Chronological Order Plus Optional Star Wars Films

The Complete Saga Watching Order: Episode I-IX And Optional Films In-Between

These are all the Star Wars and Star Wars Spin-off Films in chronological order:

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 59% 

Summary:

Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), try to use diplomacy to resolve a dispute with the evil Trade Federation. They ultimately find themselves on the desert planet Tatooine, where they meet a young boy whose ability with the Force is greater than anything they have ever seen.

Yardbarker Recommendation:

Audiences had mixed reactions. I didn’t, and neither will you. It’s an integral part of the watchlist. You’ll get to see a Sith Lord with a very cool type of lightsaber, and the fight choreography is stellar. It's a must-watch.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 56%

Summary:

Jedi Padawan, Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), falls in love with Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman). His Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), investigates an assassination attempt on Padmé. Meanwhile, tensions rise across the galaxy between the Trade Federation and the Republic, sparking the galaxy-changing Clone Wars.

Yardbarker Recommendation:

Again, audience scores are not truly indicative of how important this movie is to the chronological order. Plus, you'll witness Yoda face off against a one-of-a-kind Sith Lord, portrayed by the late Sir Christopher Lee. It’s a must-watch. 

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 66%

Summary:

Anakin (Hayden Christensen), now a Jedi Knight, and Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) go on a mission to save Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). Anakin continues to receive premonitions of Padmé's (Natalie Portman) death, which leads him down paths that some would deem unnatural.

Yardbarker Recommendation:

A must-watch. The transformation of Anakin into a monster is a captivating character arc. While the script falls a bit short, the action, fall of the Jedi Order, and lightsaber duels do not. 

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) (Optional Watch)

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 63%

Summary:

We follow young Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) as he escapes a rough life on his home planet, Corellia, dreams of becoming a pilot, and gets pulled into a dangerous world of smugglers and gangsters. Along the way, he meets his future co-pilot Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and gambler Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover).

Yardbarker Recommendation:

You can honestly skip this one. This film isn’t necessary for the watch order. While it adds some background on the characters, the movie is a bit flat, and the blaster battles don’t do enough to lift this space wreckage off the ground. 

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) (Optional Watch)

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 87%

Summary:

A group of unlikely heroes bands together with the Rebel Alliance to steal the secret plans for the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the Death Star. Led by Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), whose father (Mads Mikkelsen) helped design the Death Star, the team valiantly fights against all odds to get the plans into Rebel hands, setting the stage for the events of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.

Yardbarker Recommendation:

This one is optional, but a must-watch. The storytelling and script are outstanding, setting the stage for the events that will unfold later in the Star Wars watch list. This is one of the best Star Wars movies to come out in the past 20 years. 

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 96%

Summary:

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), C3PO (Anthony Daniels), and R2D2 (Kenny Baker) team up for the first time to rescue Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) from the grasp of Sith Lord, Darth Vader (voiced by the late James Earl Jones).

Yardbarker Recommendation:

Outstanding and a must-watch. John Williams' score and the first iconic play-through of the Force Theme, as it trumpets when Luke watches the dual-sun sunset on the planet Tatooine, will give you goose bumps.

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 97%

Summary:

The Rebel Alliance suffers a devastating defeat on the snow-covered planet Hoth, forcing them to scatter across the galaxy. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) continues his Jedi training with Master Yoda (Frank Oz). Torn between duty and loyalty, Luke abandons his training to save his friends, leading to a confrontation with Darth Vader (David Prowse) — and a shocking revelation that changes everything he believes.

Yardbarker Recommendation:

This is arguably tied for 1st place among the best movies in the series to stream — it's 100% a must watch. Its special effects are well beyond its time, and the snow battle on planet Hoth is literally out of this world. 

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 94%

Summary:

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) leads a daring mission to rescue Han Solo (Harrison Ford) from Jabba the Hutt, then joins the Rebel Alliance for a final battle against the Empire. As the Rebel Alliance fights to destroy the second Death Star, Luke confronts Darth Vader (voiced by the Late James Earl Jones) and Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), leading to a magnificent ending to the final part of the Original Sequel Trilogy (OST) saga.

Yardbarker Recommendation:

This is one of the other Star Wars movies, tied for 1st with The Empire Strikes Back. This has the greatest lightsaber duels in the series, and the storyline is the best in the watchlist. And yes, it's 100% a must-watch.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 94%

Summary:

A new threat called the First Order rises from the ashes of the Empire. Scrapper and scavenger, Rey (Daisy Ridley), discovers her connection to the Force while searching for the missing Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). As she joins the Resistance, she faces off against Sith Lord Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), a fallen apprentice with ties to both sides of the Force.

Yardbarker Recommendation:

Phenomenal and a must-watch. For all fans, seeing new and old characters come back to life on screen was an incredible experience during Christmas of 2015. The movie is a modern masterpiece — one you can’t do without. 

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 41%

Summary:

The Resistance fights for survival as the First Order closes in. Rey (Daisy Ridley) seeks guidance and training from a reluctant and semi-retired Master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), as she hopes to harness her growing powers. As old legends crumble and new heroes rise, Rey and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) confront their intertwined destinies in one of the great modern lightsaber fights in the entire series.

Yardbarker Recommendation:

This movie got a ton of undeserved hate. You might not like it, but it’s a must-watch for the chronological viewing experience. In this movie, characters take an interesting detour from their predictable arcs, as director Rian Johnson tries to take the trilogy in a new, fascinating direction. Don’t believe the hate. The film is action-packed and has a great script. 

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 86%

Summary:

The galaxy faces a new threat as Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) returns from the shadows of the past. Rey (Daisy Ridley) uncovers her ghastly true heritage and the reason behind her affinity with the Force. She leads the Resistance in a final battle against the First Order on a hidden Sith planet, while Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) struggles between darkness and redemption. The dyad confronts the Sith to decide the fate of the galaxy.

Yardbarker Recommendation:

As the final episode of the entire three-by-three part Star Wars saga, it’s a must-watch. Yes, some liberties were taken in bringing old enemies back and reusing old tropes, but the actors do the film justice. The outcome is still exceptional and makes a fitting end to the Star Wars story.

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FAQs

What Is the Correct Order To Watch the Star Wars Series?

1. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
2. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
3. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
4. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
6. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
7. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
8. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
9. Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
10. Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
11. Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Is It Better To Watch the Star Wars Movies in Chronological Order?

George Lucas, the original director of Star Wars: Episodes I-VI, has stated on numerous occasions that the Star Wars saga is meant to be watched in chronological order, following the episodes, rather than in the order of release date. He believes the entire compendium of the first six episodes is key to the narrative and life of Anakin Skywalker, AKA Darth Vader. While he had little involvement in Episodes VII-IX, by watching the first six episodes in order, you might as well continue the trend for continuity with the last three (VII-IX).

Should I Watch Star Wars Episode I or Episode IV?

Start with Episode I to begin the true episodic, chronological watch order of the Star Wars saga. It's meant to be watched that way — you won't regret it. May the force be with you.